The NHL Draft is as much about trades and other personnel moves as selecting players. We're less than 48 hours away, so it makes sense that things are starting to heat up. Some news and rumors from Friday:

If Brad Richards gets hurt next season, the New York Rangers are in serious trouble. (AP Photo)

Without getting too far into the mechanics of compliance buyouts, New York absolutely has to use its second and final one on Richards next year. No matter how well he plays, he's done in New York because of cap recapture penalties. New York has to hope new coach Alain Vigneault maximizes Richards' remaining abilities and, again, cross its fingers and pray that Richards doesn't blow out his knee in March.

— Kris Letang and the Pittsburgh Penguins went silent. After the tone of contract extension talks took a downward turn Thursday night—the sides reportedly are arguing over less than $1 million annually and a no-trade-clause—nobody said much on Friday, sourced or otherwise.

Pittsburgh remains likely to trade Letang, a 26-year-old Norris Trophy finalist, before the season if it can't sign him long term.

“The Flyers have been told it’s going to take a very good player (to acquire Halak), but it won’t take one of their top guys, which Philadelphia was worried about,” an NHL source told Panaccio. “He could be their No. 1.”

In seven NHL seasons, Halak, 28, has a 2.41 GAA and .917 save percentage. He struggled last season with groin injuries.

— USA hockey officialized its management team. Nashville Predators GM David Poile will serve as Team USA’s general manager; Penguins GM Ray Shero will be the associate GM. Brian Burke, who was the GM of the 2010 team, will stay on as director of player personnel.